Commonwealth Games Scotland is delighted to welcome Jodey Hughes to its Board as Athlete Director.

Well known to CGS, having represented Team Scotland in Weightlifting at two Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, Jodey brings a wealth of experience leading high performance teams and projects in her professional career.

Inspired to take up weightlifting from watching the Glasgow 2014 Games, just four years later Jodey was part of Team Scotland in Gold Coast, finishing 9th in the 58kg category.

She competed at her second Games at Birmingham 2022 and is keen to play a part in ensuring the positive environment and support she experienced continues for future athletes.

Currently Deputy Head of Campaigns and Remissions at HMRC, Jodey has more than a decade’s experience in leadership and project delivery which will serve her well in her position on the Board and in recruiting and leading the Athlete Advisory Panel, which feeds into decision making and planning for future Games.

Jodey said: “I am honoured to be selected as the Athlete Director for Commonwealth Games Scotland.

“Being part of Team Scotland as an athlete has been one of the best things that has happened to me, and I am highly motivated to give back.

“I want to ensure all voices are heard and represented – its something I do regularly in my professional role and want to use my skills to support Team Scotland, our sports and athletes.

“There’s no doubt that we’re in a period of real uncertainty at the moment, which is all the more reason to have the athlete’s voice at the heart of our strategy development moving forward.

“I’m looking forward to taking the time to understand the needs of all sports under the Team Scotland umbrella and the complexities of individuals within teams to help have their interests at the forefront of the board’s decision-making.”

Jodey replaces Colin Gregor, who served two terms since joining the Board in 2015. He will remain as the CGF European Athlete Representative.

He said: “It’s been a privilege to serve on the Board over the past eight years.

“I’ve seen first hand the work that goes into supporting athletes and sports to deliver at the Games, and had the chance to shape the aspects of preparation that make a difference to athletes.

“Being involved in the Board has led to many great experiences, and I’ll leave with great memories of my time as Athlete Director.

“Personally it was a real help in my personal development, especially in the transition from retirement. I know how challenging that period in an athlete’s life is – everything changes overnight – your focus, purpose, routine – and it can be really difficult to manage.

“This role was a new experience for me to use the skills I had developed in a different context, and gave me the confidence to push on when I finished playing.

“The Athlete Director role and Athlete Advisory Panel are great opportunities for current and recently retired athletes to get involved with, and hopefully Jodey finds the role to be as fulfilling as I did.

“I’ve enjoyed catching up with her in the past few days and am excited to see what she achieves in the role.”

CGS would also like to thank Susie Crawford, who has stepped down from the Board following eight years as Marketing Director. Susie made a big contribution to the organisation in that time, and we wish her well in her future work.